Taking your family to the theatre is one of those core memory-making experiences that stays with kids forever. From the awe-inspiring opening note of a West End blockbuster to the joyous giggles of a toddler’s first puppet show, live performance delivers a magical kind of togetherness that no screen can match.
However, booking a family outing can feel like a high-stakes decision. Will the little ones sit still? Is the story too intense for a six-year-old? Are the tickets actually worth the investment?
That is where ATG Tickets (Ambassador Theatre Group) comes in. Managing dozens of iconic West End venues, such as the Lyceum Theatre, Apollo Victoria, and Phoenix Theatre, alongside premier regional venues like the Bristol Hippodrome, Edinburgh Playhouse, and Manchester Palace Theatre, ATG hosts the ultimate catalogue of family entertainment across the UK.
To help you navigate the season without the guesswork, we have curated the 15 best family shows on ATG Tickets in 2026, categorized by age, stage experience, and occasion so you can book with total confidence.
At a Glance: Quick Picks by Family Category
| Category | Recommended Show | Age Suitability | Best For |
| Best for Toddlers & First-Timers | Bluey’s Big Play | Ages 2+ | First theatre visit, low pressure |
| Best West End Spectacle | Disney’s The Lion King | Ages 6+ | Grand visual masterpiece |
| Best New Musical Debut | Paddington The Musical | All ages | Heartwarming storytelling |
| Best for Tweens & Teens | SIX The Musical | Ages 10+ | High-energy pop concert vibe |
| Best Comedy & Panto Vibe | Shrek The Musical | Ages 5+ | Laugh-out-loud family humor |
Category 1: Best for Toddlers & Preschool First-Timers (Ages 2-5)
Introductions to live theatre should be short, sensory-rich, and forgiving of little audience members who want to dance in the aisles.
1. Bluey’s Big Play
- The Vibe: Pure, heartwarming magic brought straight from the screen to the stage.
- Why Book It: Featuring brilliantly crafted puppets, brilliant songs, and an original story by Bluey creator Joe Brumm, this live adaptation sees Bluey and Bingo pull out all the stops to get Dad off his phone. At a comfortable 50-minute runtime with no interval, it’s tailor-made for young attention spans.
2. Peppa Pig’s Big Family Show
- The Vibe: Interactive, joyful, and packed with singalong anthems.
- Why Book It: Peppa, George, and their friends are back on tour across ATG regional venues. Filled with colorful sets, giant muddy puddles, and plenty of audience participation, it’s the ultimate zero-stress first theatre trip for toddlers.
3. Julia Donaldson Stage Adaptations (The Gruffalo / Room on the Broom)
- The Vibe: Whimsical storytelling that brings beloved bedtime books to life.
- Why Book It: Tall Stories’ adaptations of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s classic picture books are masterpieces of children’s theatre. Combining catchy acoustic songs, physical comedy, and charming puppetry, these 55-minute shows make storytime feel ten feet tall.
Category 2: Best West End Blockbusters & All-Ages Musicals (Ages 6+)
These are the heavy hitters, the record-breaking, show-stopping West End productions that deliver sheer visual wonder from the moment the house lights dim.
The West End Spectacle
The Lion King (Lyceum Theatre)
Puppetry & Scale
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Wicked (Apollo Victoria Theatre)
Spellbinding Sets
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Paddington The Musical (Savoy Theatre)
Heartwarming Charm
4. Disney’s The Lion King (Lyceum Theatre)
- The Vibe: An undisputed theatrical miracle that every child should see at least once.
- Why Book It: Julie Taymor’s visionary production transforms the Lyceum Theatre into the African Serengeti using over 200 puppets, breathtaking costumes, and Elton John’s legendary score. The opening sequence alone (“Circle of Life”) will give both kids and parents goosebumps.
5. Wicked (Apollo Victoria Theatre)
- The Vibe: Spellbinding vocals, towering sets, and an unforgettable story of friendship.
- Why Book It: Telling the untold story of the Witches of Oz, Wicked remains one of the West End’s most popular family fixtures. With gravity-defying anthems like “Defying Gravity” and “Popular,” it’s an empowering, emotionally rich musical ideal for primary school kids, tweens, and parents alike.
6. Paddington The Musical (Savoy Theatre)
- The Vibe: Nostalgic London warmth meets dazzling West End staging.
- Why Book It: Inspired by Michael Bond’s immortal stories and the hit StudioCanal films, this brand-new stage musical brings everyone’s favorite marmalade-loving bear to the Savoy Theatre. Packed with catchy tunes, hilarious stage mishaps, and endless heart, it is set to be 2026’s biggest family ticket.
7. Matilda The Musical
- The Vibe: High-spirited, rebellious fun with genius lyrics by Tim Minchin.
- Why Book It: Roald Dahl’s tale of an extraordinary little girl with a big imagination is brought to life with staggering energy. Featuring iconic numbers like “Revolting Children” and “When I Grow Up,” it celebrates literacy, courage, and cleverness in equal measure.
Category 3: Best for Energetic Kids & Classic Family Outings (Ages 7-11)
Looking for big laughs, memorable tunes, and stories that spark great dinner-table conversations after the show? These mid-childhood picks hit the sweet spot.
8. Annie
- The Vibe: Irresistible optimism, big chorus routines, and timeless songs.
- Why Book It: Featuring classic hits like “Tomorrow” and “It’s the Hard Knock Life,” Annie continues to tour ATG venues nationwide. It’s a fantastic choice for young performers who love to sing along, featuring a brilliant cast of spunky orphans and top-tier choreography.
9. Shrek The Musical
- The Vibe: Irreverent fairy-tale comedy that entertains parents just as much as the kids.
- Why Book It: Based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks animation, this tour brings the swamp to ATG stages. Packed with laugh-out-loud jokes, colorful characters, and the show-stopping finale “I’m a Believer,” it’s pure, unadulterated feel-good fun.
10. Oliver!
- The Vibe: Atmospheric, grand-scale British musical theatre at its finest.
- Why Book It: Lionel Bart’s classic score (“Food, Glorious Food”, “Consider Yourself”, “You’ve Got to Pick a Pocket or Two”) shines in modern revivals. It’s an immersive, theatrical history lesson full of memorable characters that will captivate young readers.
Category 4: Best for Teens, Tweens & High-Energy Nights Out (Ages 10+)
Teens can be notoriously hard to impress, but these fast-paced, contemporary productions are guaranteed to keep them fully engaged.
11. SIX The Musical
- The Vibe: A 80-minute pop-concert extravaganza rewriting Tudor history.
- Why Book It: The six wives of Henry VIII take the mic to reclaim their stories in a modern girl-group pop battle. Fast, hilarious, and hugely empowering, SIX has become a cultural phenomenon among teenagers and theatergoers worldwide.
12. Stranger Things: The First Shadow (Phoenix Theatre)
- The Vibe: Mind-bending stage illusions and thrilling retro suspense.
- Why Book It: Set in Hawkins, 1959, this gripping prequel to the Netflix hit is a masterclass in theatrical special effects. With jaw-dropping stunts and horror-lite suspense, it’s hands-down the coolest show to take your older kids and teenagers to in the West End.
13. Starlight Express
- The Vibe: High-octane, roller-skating musical spectacle.
- Why Book It: Andrew Lloyd Webber’s iconic musical features actors racing around customized auditoriums on roller skates at breakneck speeds. The sheer velocity and immersive lighting setup make it an exhilarating thrill ride for screen-obsessed teens.
Category 5: Best Touring Spectacles & Seasonal Traditions
14. Wicked & Broadway UK Regional Tours
- The Vibe: West End quality right on your doorstep.
- Why Book It: If travelling into Central London isn’t ideal for your family, ATG’s regional tour lineup brings West End production values to cities like Manchester, Bristol, Liverpool, and Edinburgh. Keep an eye out for touring runs of major blockbusters throughout 2026.
15. The Annual ATG Regional Pantomimes (Christmas Season)
- The Vibe: Festive British tradition loaded with slapstick, star power, and audience interaction.
- Why Book It: From Cinderella and Jack and the Beanstalk to Peter Pan and Aladdin, ATG’s festive pantomime season across UK theatres is an annual family staple. Featuring star-studded celebrity casts, outrageous costumes, and endless “behind you!” moments, it’s the ultimate Christmas family day out.
How to Get the Best Value on ATG Family Tickets
Booking theatre for 3, 4, or 5 people adds up quickly. Here is how to stretch your budget when booking through ATG Tickets:
Pro Tip: Look out for official ATG Family Rate offers during checkout. Many major shows offer discounted bundle packages (e.g., 4 tickets for a flat discounted rate) on midweek and matinee performances.
- Join the ATG TheatreCard Scheme: If your family visits the theatre two or more times a year, an ATG TheatreCard pays for itself instantly. Members get fee-free ticket booking, exclusive ticket discounts, and priority access to popular show releases.
- Opt for Midweek Matinees: Saturday afternoon seats carry peak pricing. If you are booking during school holidays or term-time Sundays, midweek performances often feature significantly cheaper ticket bands.
- Use the In-Seat Ordering App: Avoid long foyer queues with excited kids by using the ATG app. You can pre-order drinks, ice creams, and snacks straight to your seats during the interval.
Frequently Asked Questions
What age is ideal for a child’s first West End or touring show?
For children aged 2 to 4, specialized junior productions (Bluey’s Big Play, Peppa Pig) with 50-60 minute runtimes and no interval are ideal. For full-length 2.5-hour West End musicals with an interval (The Lion King, Wicked), ages 6 and up generally enjoy the experience far more without fatigue.
Can I bring my own snacks into an ATG theatre?
While ATG venues allow small personal cold snacks and plastic bottled drinks, warm food, glass containers, and alcohol purchased outside are not permitted inside the auditoriums. Pre-ordering treats via the ATG app is usually the quickest option.
What happens if my child gets restless during the performance?
ATG front-of-house staff are exceptionally accommodating with families. You are always welcome to step out into the foyer for a quiet moment or a bathroom break and re-enter the auditorium during a suitable break in the show.
Are booster seats available for younger children?
Yes! Most ATG venues provide seat booster cushions free of charge (or for a small nominal hire deposit) on a first-come, first-served basis. Simply ask an usher as you enter the auditorium.
